Abstract: Headgear for rugby and/or soccer, comprising: an inner layer (1) configured to accommodate a wearer's head; an outer layer (2) covering at least a part of the inner layer; a padding layer (3) between the inner and outer layers, configured to absorb and/or redirect energy of an impact between the headgear and an object; and a sliding interface (4) between the inner layer and the outer layer at which the inner layer and the outer layer are configured to slide relative to each other in response to an impact between the headgear and an object.

Abstract: There is disclosed a connector for connecting first and second parts of an apparatus, the connector comprising: a deformable retainer having first and second sides around an inner space; and a first plate positioned within the inner space to provide a low friction interface between the first and second sides of the retainer; wherein the first side of the retainer has a first anchor point that is configured to connect the connector to the first part of the apparatus; and the second side of the retainer has a second anchor point that is configured to connect the connector to the second part of the apparatus.

Abstract: A shell configured to be detachably attached to the outside of a helmet hard shell, the shell comprising: a first region; a second region; and a plurality of openings, each of the plurality of openings extending from a first side to a second side of the shell; wherein the plurality of openings are arranged along a boundary between the first region and the second region.

Abstract: A helmet comprising: an outer shell; a head mount, configured to be mounted on the top of the head of a wearer of the helmet; wherein the head mount is suspended within the outer shell such that, in use, an air gap is provided between the head mount and the outer shell; the head mount comprises a plurality of straps, that are configured to extend across the top of the head of a wearer of the helmet, and a head ring that at least partially surrounds the head of a wearer of the helmet, extending around the craniocaudal axis; and the helmet further comprises: a head engagement device that is provided on a surface of the head mount, that is configured to face the head of a wearer of the helmet, such that the head engagement device can move relative to the head mount; and a head engagement device support that is configured to inhibit the movement of the head engagement device through gaps between the straps and/or head ring of the head mount into the air gap between the head mount and the outer shell.

Abstract: There is provided a connector for connecting first and second parts of an apparatus, comprising: a first part; a second part, opposing the first part; and two, or more, arms extending between the first part and the second part connecting the first part and the second part, the arms being formed from a deformable material and configured to deform to allow the first part and the second part to slide relative to each other at a low friction interface; the first part comprising a first sliding surface; the second part comprising a second sliding surface, opposing the first sliding surface, the low friction interface being provided between the first and second sliding surfaces; the first part comprising a first attachment part on a side of the first sliding surface opposite to the second sliding surface, configured to connect the first sliding surface to the first part of the apparatus; the second part comprising a second attachment part on a side of the second sliding surface opposite to the first sliding surface

Abstract: A helmet (1) comprises: an outer shell (2); an inner shell (3) lining an inner surface of the outer shell and formed from an energy absorbing material configured to protect against a radial component of an impact to the wearer's head; and a low friction sliding interface (4) between the inner shell and the outer shell configured to facilitate sliding of the inner shell relative to the outer shell in response to an impact to the wearer's head to protect against a tangential component of the impact; wherein the inner shell comprises a plurality of shell segments (30) each shell segment being configured to slide relative to the outer shell at the sliding interface and each shell segment being configured to move relative to each other shell segment.

Abstract: A helmet comprising: an inner shell; an outer shell, configured to be able to displace relative to the inner shell in response to an impact; and an impact response adjustment mechanism configured to be adjustable such that the response profile of the relative displacement over time of the outer shell in relation to the inner shell in response to an impact on the helmet varies depending on the setting of the impact response adjustment mechanism.

Abstract: A helmet comprising: inner and outer shells configured to slide relative to each other; and a connector connecting the inner and outer shells so as to allow the inner and the outer shells to slide relative to each other, the connector comprising: an attachment part attached to one of the inner shell and the outer shell; wherein: the attachment part comprises one or more protrusions and the inner or outer shell attached to the attachment part comprises one or more channels into which the protrusions extend, the protrusions and channels are configured such that the protrusions can move within the channels in an extension direction of the protrusions, during sliding of the inner and outer shells relative to each other, and the protrusions comprise an abutment member configured to abut an abutment portion of the channel to prevent the protrusion leaving the channel.

Abstract: A pad, configured to be attached to an item of protective apparel, the pad having a layered construction comprising, in order: a first support layer; a first padded layer; a first low friction layer; a second low friction layer; a second padded layer; and a second support layer connected to the first support layer so as to hold the other layers of the pad together; wherein: the first and second padded layers are configured to slide relative to each other at a sliding interface located between the first and second low friction layers; and the second support layer is configured to stretch to accommodate the sliding.

Abstract: A helmet, comprising an outer shell; a head mount, configured to be mounted on the top of the head of a wearer of the helmet; wherein the head mount is suspended within the outer shell such that, in use, an air gap is provided between head mount and the outer shell; the helmet further comprises a head engagement device that is mounted on a surface of the head mount, that is configured to face the head of a wearer of the helmet, such that the head engagement device can move relative to the head mount; and a low friction interface is provided between the head mount and the head engagement device.

Abstract: A connector for connecting inner and outer layers of an apparatus, the connector comprising: an anchor point configured to be connected to one of the inner and outer layers; a resilient portion arranged to at least partially surround the anchor point about a first axis extending in a first direction and connected to the anchor point; a peripheral portion arranged to at least partially surround the resilient portion about a second axis extending in the first direction and connected to the resilient portion, and configured to be connected to the other of the inner and outer layers; and attachment means on a surface of the connector opposite to the anchor point, for attaching the connector to the inner or outer layer not to be connected to the anchor point; wherein the resilient portion is configured to protrude from the peripheral portion in the first direction, in a connected state in which the connector is connected to the inner and outer layers, and deform to allow the anchor point to move relative to the pe

Abstract: Headgear for rugby and/or soccer, comprising: an inner layer (1) configured to accommodate a wearer's head; an outer layer (2) covering at least a part of the inner layer; a padding layer (3) between the inner and outer layers, configured to absorb and/or redirect energy of an impact between the headgear and an object; and a sliding interface (4) between the inner layer and the outer layer at which the inner layer and the outer layer are configured to slide relative to each other in response to an impact between the headgear and an object.

Abstract: A connector for connecting inner and outer layers of an apparatus, the connector having: an anchor point configured to be connected to one of the inner and outer layers; a resilient portion arranged to at least partially surround the anchor point about a first axis extending in a first direction and connected to the anchor point; a peripheral portion arranged to at least partially surround the resilient portion about a second axis extending in the first direction and connected to the resilient portion, and configured to be connected to the other of the inner and outer layers. The resilient portion is configured to protrude from the peripheral portion in the first direction, in a connected state in which the connector is connected to the inner and outer layers, and deform to allow the anchor point to move relative to the peripheral portion in a direction perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: A helmet comprising: inner and outer shells configured to slide relative to each other; and a connector connecting the inner and outer shells so as to allow the inner and the outer shells to slide relative to each other, the connector comprising: an attachment part attached to one of the inner shell and the outer shell; wherein: the attachment part comprises one or more protrusions and the inner or outer shell attached to the attachment part comprises one or more channels into which the protrusions extend, the protrusions and channels are configured such that the protrusions can move within the channels in an extension direction of the protrusions, during sliding of the inner and outer shells relative to each other, and the protrusions comprise an abutment member configured to abut an abutment portion of the channel to prevent the protrusion leaving the channel.

Abstract: There is disclosed a connector for connecting first and second parts of an apparatus, the connector comprising: a deformable retainer having first and second sides around an inner space; and a first plate positioned within the inner space to provide a low friction interface between the first and second sides of the retainer; wherein the first side of the retainer has a first anchor point that is configured to connect the connector to the first part of the apparatus; and the second side of the retainer has a second anchor point that is configured to connect the connector to the second part of the apparatus.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a helmet comprising an inner shell (3) a detachable outer shell (2) and an intermediate layer (4) between the inner shell and the outer shell. At least one connecting member (5) is configured to directly connect the inner shell to the outer shell, and allow sliding between the inner shell and the outer shell, when the outer shell is attached to the helmet. When the outer shell is attached, the outer shell and the inner shell are configured to slide relative to one another in response to an impact. A sliding interface is provided between the intermediate layer and one or both of the outer shell and the inner shell.

Abstract: A connector (50) for connecting an inner shell (3) and an outer shell (2) of a helmet (1) so as to allow the inner shell and the outer shell to slide relative to each other, the connector (50) comprising: a first attachment part (51) for attaching to one of the inner shell and the outer shell; a second attachment part (52) for attaching to the other of the inner shell and the outer shell; and one or more resilient structures (53) extending between the first attachment part and the second attachment part and configured to connect the first attachment part and the second attachment part so as to allow the first attachment part to move relative to the second attachment part as the resilient structures deform; wherein the resilient structures comprise at least one angular portion between the first attachment part and the second attachment part, an angle of said angular portion being configured to change to allow relative movement between the first attachment part and the second attachment part.

Abstract: A helmet comprising: an inner shell; an outer shell, configured to be able to displace relative to the inner shell in response to an impact; and an impact response adjustment mechanism configured to be adjustable such that the response profile of the relative displacement over time of the outer shell in relation to the inner shell in response to an impact on the helmet varies depending on the setting of the impact response adjustment mechanism.

Abstract: A connector (20) for connecting first (14) and second (15) parts of an apparatus (1), comprising: a sliding plate (21); an anchor point (22) on one side of the plate, configured to be connected to the first part; and a deformable material, configured to at least partially cover the side of the plate on which the anchor point is located; wherein a peripheral region (23) of the deformable material is configured to be connected to the second part and an inner region of the deformable material is connected to at least one of the plate and the anchor point; the connector further comprising a layer of material (25, 30) that is located on the opposite side of the plate from the anchor point; wherein a low friction interface is provided between the opposing surfaces of the plate and the layer of material.

Abstract: A helmet (1) comprises: an outer shell (2); an inner shell (3) lining an inner surface of the outer shell and formed from an energy absorbing material configured to protect against a radial component of an impact to the wearer's head; and a low friction sliding interface (4) between the inner shell and the outer shell configured to facilitate sliding of the inner shell relative to the outer shell in response to an impact to the wearer's head to protect against a tangential component of the impact; wherein the inner shell comprises a plurality of shell segments (30) each shell segment being configured to slide relative to the outer shell at the sliding interface and each shell segment being configured to move relative to each other shell segment.